Unmei Force Shattered Heroes: Dark Day Tactics
Chapter 6: Moving into Lazuria
Meanwhile, within Rubinelle, Reisen and Weiss were doing their duties of scouting out survivors, and protecting the shelter from any coordinated raider attacks, as they managed to clear out another wave of them, before they returned to camp, receiving the message that Yidne had sent to them.
"Tch… this just keeps getting better and better." Weiss stated with a sarcastic tone, while scouring the contents of the message with her eyes. "So the same force that had been responsible for supplying the raiders and basically causing troubles for all of us, has put their lot in with the Lazurians…"
"I wouldn't jump to conclusions." Reisen stated. "Note how Ydine states that the Lazurians are none too pleased with working alongside them, especially when their leading general Forsythe, protests the use of any unsanctioned weapons. This proves that Lazuria and this ominous faction are not allies to each other."
"Still…" Weiss stated. "I merely worry about how our men will be, under that wretch's thumb. I cannot stress enough the fact that we had to fight off New Rubinelle Army squads that have tried to take this shelter for their own. It's a good thing that we wiped them out, either by imprisoning the survivors within us, or by wiping them out completely. I might not approve of what we're doing, but it's a far better choice by a mile compared to the alternative."
"We need to prepare for the eventuality, when the NRA turns their back against Brenner's Wolves, and our battalion." Reisen stated. "I've inserted spies within the ranks of the NRA, without Brenner's notice, so that we can be sure of what they plan to do in the coming days."
"Major!" One of Reisen's soldiers came in. "We got a distress signal from a survivor community that has been attacked by the New Rubinelle Army! We've got reports that they've been rolling out heavy fire-power to make a show of force to coerce the survivors to join the NRA. However, there has been reports from the locals that the NRA intends to pillage them for resources."
"It doesn't matter what their reasons are. We must stop them." Reisen stated. "Send the order for the interception battalion to get moving. We take to the field as quickly as we can."
Reisen and Weiss boarded a customized rig, which has been fashioned into a mobile command center for the both of them, as the allied forces gathered around them, creating a mobilized force that headed deeper into Rubinelle, as they reached a mountainous region, which had multiple mountain ranges that made navigating through the battlefield for the ground forces fairly tedious.
"Thank god you're here! We've been hearing about the Peace-Keepers from the other survivors!" The leader of the survivor community hailed the group through the comms. "Please, you have to help us, the New Rubinelle Army are going to take everything we have, including many of our people, and our supplies, we won't survive, and they'll likely even kill us themselves!"
"Do not be afraid, we will handle them." Weiss stated, before she then relayed orders to her troops. "All anti-airs and missiles, set up a defensive perimeter around all ground forces. The enemy has been reported to have made use of bombers and battle-copters. All infantry squads capture nearby properties. As for the fighters we have, engage the enemy air-force, and ensure that the enemy bombers do not directly assault our ground forces."
As soon as her commands were acknowledged, the combined forces immediately moved forward, as one of the fighter squads managed to find the bomber squad hovering above a mountain range.
"Hey, who wants to make a bet on who can take the most kills from the bombers?" One of the fighter squad members remarked with a snarky tone.
"Oh, shut it, Knocker 4! You know that you always lose that kind of bet." Another fighter squad member responded back with a growl. "Besides, this isn't the time to play around."
"Knocker Actual to all Knocker Squad pilots, cut the chatter, and take down the high-priority bandits." One of the air-force operators scolded the pilots.
"Knocker Lead, affirmative." The fighter squad leader answered back, as it throttled forward to engage the bombers, as the missiles on it began to lock onto the leading bomber. "Firing away, Fox Three!"
The missiles then shot forward, as they sought the main body of the bomer, striking deep, as the hull of the bomber began to burn, just as the rest of the fighters began to engage, dodging the turret fire from the bombers, as they launched missile after missile into the bombers, slowly taking them down, untilt the last bomber crashed down into the mountains below.
"This is Knocker Lead to Knocker Actual." The fighter squad leader reported. "All current bandits splashed."
"Remain in the combat area, there is an enemy fighter squad that needs to be engaged." The air-force operator responded back.
The ground forces below immediately began to move, as the allied rockets began to use one of the gaps in the range to get allied rockets in range to fire on the enemy main force, as rockets rained down on them, destroying many tanks of both light and medium type, and severely damaging the war tanks behind the vanguard.
An allied war-tank itself was moving forward, piloted by a high-ranked tank operator, as it slowly moved through the mountain range, trampling trees in its path through the forests. Eventually, it got in front of the enemy artillery, as it began to fire on them, destroying the entire squad with a single shot.
"Huh, never thought that I'd get my wish to pilot such a monstrous beauty." The tank operator remarked. "Good thing I know how to treat this lady right. Let's keep moving! These enemy forces aren't going to scrap themselves for the rest of us!"
The fighter squads from both side began to engage with each other, as missiles flew everywhere, and hits were landed on both sides, although the allied fighters managed to come out victorious, with considerable damage.
"This is Knocker 3, took a serious hit to the body, going to RTB before the situation gets worse for me." One of the more damaged fighters responded back.
"Knocker Actual acknowledges. All remaining Knocker Squad units, retreat back to point C, and avoid enemy anti-air fire." The air-force operator responded back.
The rockets continued to fire down on the enemy forces, as the artillery support managed to help the ground troops push forward, as they destroyed the last of the enemy ground forces, just as the other fighter squads wiped the enemy battle-copters out, securing victory.
"Enemy forces have been confirmed in retreat." Weiss stated. "I think that we should get the survivors out while we still can. I doubt that the NRA are willing to stand around and not send a bigger force to subjugate this area."
Reisen nodded, as they immediately initiated evacuation protocols, to get the survivors to the shelter, as they were slowly escorting the civilians,before she had a surprising encounter with a former NRA officer, who seemed to have taken refuge in the community.
"...Sorry for all that happened. I'm glad that there are still people like you." The NRA defector stated with relief, seeing Reisen coming along. "The NRA have really declined after the meteors fell."
"You worked with them before?" Reisen asked back.
"Yeah, before I was kicked out of it for something I said." The defector answered back, before showing his wounded leg. "Bastards shot me in the leg, and told me to crawl like a worm to live. It was a good thing that the survivors here are not as angry as the rest, or I would have really been dead for real. I thought I was a goner when the NRA came in to loot this place. They really would have wanted me dead, especially when they know what I have done."
"And that is…?" Reisen asked back.
"Look, to explain this, I would have to go back to the time when I was still in the NRA." The defector explained. "It wasn't the best situation, being locked in a stalemate with Lazuria, but really, I bear no true grudge with them. This entire war started because of conflicting ideologies, and it's nothing really that bad. Not like there was a universal law where all Rubinelles and Lazurians have to hate each other by principle. We only had this war, because we wanted to settle things once and for all, to decide which nation gets to rule this world. And trust me, after what happened with Greyfield, I'm actually sympathetic with Lazuria. It's better than working alongside a self-centered mad-man."
"So I've noticed…" Reisen stated.
"Yeah, that asshole rose the ranks due to nepotism with the higher-ups, and he abused his subordinates to rise even further until he was Admiral. Really, in my opinion, he should be thrown into a mental institution with his mind-set, that he's the only one to rule this world through an iron fist." The defector answered back. 'He would have, if it wasn't for the meteors taking out the government, as well as most of the military leadership, leaving us with Greyfield unfortunately as our highest command. Can't grumble against him, since he'll literally murder anyone over the slightest thing. But that's not what worries me though…"
The defector then leaned forward with a fearful look in his eyes. "I've seen Greyfield collude with a real creep that makes me shiver to this day." He continued. "He was pale as snow itself, and he always had this twisted grin on his face. Says he's a scientist curious about the mysteries of everything, but most of us can see him for the loon he is. Constantly trying to do sick and twisted stuff to our own men, and literally have no sense of decency for human life. Admiral Greyfield even distrusts him, and only keeps him for the indoctrinated troops that he brings into the fold to give us the edge. Thinking back to it, protesting about that bastard was the sole reason I got chucked. Greyfield wouldn't listen, had me exiled for being an 'insubordinate rat'."
Reisen then left the defector to himself, as several of her troops helped to escort the transport he was boarding onto, as she considered the world she said.
"...We learned more about this eerie foe of ours…. The father of Mars…" Reisen stated. "If he's working alongside both sides of the war… then there must be a purpose to it. This war has to end quickly, before this schemer does something that will threaten us all."
As Reisen and Weiss were escorting a new community of survivors into the shelter haven, Brenner was pushing deeper into Lazuria, as the allied force were reaching the coast of Lazuria, having captured a nearby port for creating their own naval units for battle.
"Greyfield has sent a token amount of funds and military support. But I think it's mostly for show. I doubt he really supports the 12th Battalion. We'd better make plans to secure our own source of funds and materials." Lin remarked, seeing the New Rubinelle Army forces that have made it into the area to support the advance.
"That's a given. I've also heard unsettling rumors that we are not well-liked, thanks to the Captain's mindset." Keiji stated. "I would be wary about how we're going to handle the aftermath of this war, once Lazuria's army has been taken down."
"I'll take that to mind." Brenner nodded back, before relaying orders to his troops. "All units! Spread out and capture as many neutral bases and ports as you can!"
The allied forces immediately moved into action, as the air-force immediately deployed from the island where the forces had made their forward base, flying in course with the carriers, who are already busy trying to prepare sea-planes for battle.
The allied lander ships sailed through the sea, as the cruisers and battleships began to move towards the enemy forces, to engage them and ensure that they cannot be able to attack the moving capture force, as they made their way to the central island, where they found an unoccupied port and factory to create troops from.
"We managed to find an island with a port and factory for producing forces further along the front-line." The infantry squad leader reported, before he then noticed that there was a NRA-affiliated rig nearby. "And I found one part of the measly support the NRA goons gave us."
"Initiate capture of the factory and port. We will need those to create more units to handle the enemy navy forces." Ydine ordered. "Once the capture is complete, immediately use the pre-loaded resources to produce battleships. Our subs will handle the naval combat for us."
"This is Fu-131. We've moving under diving altitude." One of the submarine commanders reported to Keiji. "Our target is the Lazurian fleet that is spotted eastwards. Any further commands, commander?"
"Keep your bearing, we need to prepare for battle." Keiji responded back, before relaying more orders. "All naval units, engage the enemy fleet to the east, and join in a pincer attack with the support force from the NRA."
As the allied fleet began to form together to prepare for the engagement, the air-force began to pester the Lazurian ground-forces, as battle-copters fired rockets at a nearby missile unit, destroying a part of the Lazurian anti-air network, before they get retaliation from another nearby missile unit, managing to avoid taking heavy casualties through a quick retreat, and the battleships began to fire in-land as well, aiming for an enemy artillery unit, taking them out with grand explosions.
"Commander Ydine, we managed to spot out NRA scouts observing our formation with suspicious behavior." One of Ydine's scouts remarked, as the NRA scouts seemed to be watching from afar, away from the battlefield. "I don't think that they're just observing how well we're doing… I think that there is something in plan for them, and I don't think any of us are going to like it."
"Your warning is noted." Ydine stated. "...All allied forces maintain an alert state and do not over-extend into enemy lines. There has been suspicion that the NRA are creating schemes with us in mind."
The allied forces immediately moved away from the enemy forces, maintaining a safe distance away from enemy battleships and artillery fire, as they noted the creation of more enemy naval forces to bolster their navy.
Ydine's suspicions were noted, when a NRA messenger patched into the allied comms to speak with the officers.
"Captain Brenner! We're receiving orders from Admiral Greyfield! He says they must obey under penalty of death, sir!" The NRA messenger notified the officers.
"And what are those orders?" Keiji asked back.
"That all seaplanes are not to make any moves beyond their current sectors until further orders are made." The messenger answered back.
"What!? This is our battle! What does that idiot think he's doing!?" Brenner exclaimed with outrage.
"Sorry, sir! But I'm just the messenger! Please do what he says, sir! I have a wife and kid!" The NRA messenger begged.
"Wait...the penalty of death applies to you? An enlisted man?!" Will exclaimed with horror.
"And to us as well… Goddamnit it, that bastard really wants to do us in…" Ydine growled.
"There's no choice. The admiral clearly doesn't like me very much." Brenner relented.
"This is my fault, Captain. I was disrespectful to the admiral…" Will answered back with regret.
"Don't, whatever you said about him, was well-deserved. And I believe that this distaste in us runs deeper than your insults, Will." Keiji answered back. "...It's a good thing we kept up a tight formation. We may not be able to deploy sea-planes, but we have none in range of the enemy. We merely got lucky that he made that kind of order."
"Things can't be changed now. I could risk my own neck, but I won't endanger the lives of my men." Brenner stated. "We'll follow his orders… No matter how crazy they are."
"...So that's why the NRA scouts were observing us…" Ydine stated with realization. "...Captain, I might have a way to tell what kind of orders Greyfield might pull on us."
"Do explain." Lin suggested.
"He put scouts outside the battlefield to observe the situation. I believe that the production of seaplanes must have riled him up somehow. They are known to be quite powerful, ours especially." Ydine stated. "So, in an effort to sabotage us… he sent that order to hamstring our offense. But the reason is… what insane reason could he possibly have for doing such a thing-"
"He wants us to lose and die, plain and simple." Keiji growled. "...Get intelligence working to crack all nearby NRA comms. I want nothing left out from them. As for Greyfield… I have a way to deal with him after this ends, and scare him into submission."
"...Sergeant Major, you don't need to-" Will tried to plead.
"No, this must be done. I'm not going to let that madman cause destruction within our ranks for a stupid grudge." Keiji stated with a determined look in his eyes. "In the meantime, before more of those orders are made, crush the enemy navy force, before it's the navy's turn to get restrained."
The allied navy began to advance, as more of the islands were captured for the allied force by the capture force, before they moved towards the Lazurian coast, with the intention of disrupting the production of Lazurian units, by attacking their ports.
"New orders from the NRA, the restriction is lifted." Ydine informed the officers. "It's odd that Greyfield would even cancel that order, but then again, if we were visibly sabotaged by his own men, he will lose his men's trust like a plummeting weight."
"That only means that he will make another order soon." Keiji stated. "If the sea-planes are lifted off restriction, order them to sortie immediately and bombard the enemy force. We cannot afford to dawdle with Greyfield's insanity."
The allied forces began to push the enemy force back, he sea-planes were deployed by the dozen from the carriers, as they swarmed the enemy lines, bombarding them with missiles that dealt severe damage to the enemy lines, softening them up for a swift victory, before the comms officer received news from the cracked NRA comms.
"Commander, we have heard news that there has been a transfer of information, that we are favoring our medium tanks." The comms officer reported to the officers. "It is likely that Greyfield restricts them."
"Damnit, and we're so close to wrapping this up… We can't pull them back or the rest of the enemy line will breach and deal considerable damage to the other units…" Ydine growled. "Order all medium tanks to perform a full charge, and order all surrounding units to cover the medium tanks. Do not allow them any room to even consider attacking the inactive tanks!"
The forces then aggressively pushed further, as the rockets and artillery spared no expense in wiping out the enemy forces nearby the tanks, before the NRA messenger returned with another order from Greyfield.
"Captain Brenner! Another order has been sent by Admiral Greyfield." The mesenger informed them. "He orders that all medium tanks halt operation and remain on standby until further orders."
"...Not again! This idiot is risking all of our lives!" Brenner stated.
"And he does so at the luxury of being safe from the consequences… not if I have something to say about that." Keiji growled. "Orders or no, there is no anti-armor capability for the enemy forces as of currently. This order will likely have little effect in our current operations."
"Captain, we can do it anyway! Brenner's Wolves won't be beaten by the Lazurians OR Greyfield!" Will stated with encouraging words. "And that reminds me… Sergeant Major Shimada… May i…"
"I'll communicate with the commander this time. They employ a different tactic, one far more defensive and careful, so it has be another commanding officer leading the troops here." Keiji stated, before he then patched into the Lazurian comms. "This is a message to the Lazurian commander leading the forces here, I wish to speak about this entire matter."
"It is a pointless affair. I obey orders, and I don't engage in policy discussions." Gage's voice was heard.
"There is a point to this. I am Sergeant Major Keiji Shimada of the 8th Combined Battalion, I do believe that one of your acquaintances had the displeasure of speaking with me." Keiji stated. "Either way, directing back to the topic at hand, I'm offering surrender. Your forces will not win this battle, and your surrender will spare more lives than trying to fight back and fail."
Gage was silent, as Keiji then continued.
"I know from how you fight that you care little about the political and ideological side of war." Keiji stated. "Are you doing this out of loyalty for your nation? The nation that has been wounded so severely by the disasters and the ongoing crises that resulted? Is this how Lazuria decides to go out? In a blaze of glory, taking as many of its people out in this war as it can?"
"That's not my concern. Soldiers follow orders, not their hearts. If soldiers acted as they pleased, armies would collapse. We're tools of the government. They tell us what to do, and we follow them."
"Funny, I had the same mindset." Keiji answered back. "I admire that loyalty and stubborn adherence to your duty. However, I bear the same trait, and I'm afraid that if you will not lay your hands down to surrender, then we will fight as is expected by both sides. The only difference is that I follow a nation that is not at the brink of self-ruin, and I have a firm leader that I trust with my own life, like you do with General Forsythe. When you're taken in, I will vouch for your safety for that mere reason."
"...Very well." Gage answered back, before the comms were cut,
The allied forces immediately routed the enemy forces, as they refused pursuit of them, as Brenner let out a sigh of relief, relieved that the battle had ended before more orders would have went in to sabotage the war effort.
"Tell Greyfield what happened here…" Brenner stated through his comms to a communications officer, before he then caught eye of Keiji leaving the war room. "Sergeant Major, what are you doing?"
"Keeping my word. I'll deal with this personally. Do not worry, I know for certain that my way will ensure the least amount of trouble for both parties, as much as I loathe the megalomaniac Admiral." Keiji stated. "If the worst comes, and I do not return by the end of the week, there will be an envelope addressed to you under my locker, that will explain a contingency that I have planned out. I sincerely hope that it will not come to that."
Brenner was left unable to make a proper argument against, as Keiji gave the captain a tip of his head, and left the room. It was some time until Keiji finished his preparations, before he then boarded a fighter, as it surged back towards allied lines, heading towards the NRA headquarters.
It did not take for long until Keiji managed to reach the headquarters, as he was right before the building, as he was halted by entry by the guards watching over it.
"Halt! What brings you here? Are you not supposed to lead the assault of Lazuria?" The soldier asked Keiji, who did not falter.
"Of course, I have been sent by the good Captain Brenner to give the great Admiral his debriefing report." Keiji stated, as he produced the report himself. "Here's it right here."
The guards then skimmed the contents of the report, as they were distraught by what they saw, before they moved aside with relenting expressions, as Keiji tipped his head in acknowledgment, before entering the building, standing right before the door into Greyfield's command center, as he pressed his ear on the closed door to eavesdrop into whatever conversation is playing out currently.
"Admiral Greyfield! We heard news that Brenner's Wolves had won the day!" A NRA officer reported to the Admiral. "Er...I mean... It was probably due to your leadership, s-sir!"
"...I see." Greyfield remarked with a clipped tone.
"A-Admiral? You're not...upset at our victory, are you?" The officer asked, cowed by whatever expression the Admiral had on his face.
"No! Of course not! How dare you!" Admiral Greyfield growled. "I am merely displeased Brenner allowed the Lazurians. Until they are wiped from the face of the planet, we will know no peace…"
"R-Right." The officer stated, before he then left the room, as Keiji hid behind the door, letting the officer pass by him, before he then slowly opened the door, as the Admiral noticed him.
"So, it is you. Have you come to extol your captain's feats to me?" Greyfield growled at Keiji with hostility.
"Of course not, I'm merely here to give you a de-briefing report that has been sent from the Captain to you, as per army protocol." Keiji answered back, laying the file on the desk. "I'm sure that you might have heard of the crushing victory we had at Lazuria's coast, haven't you? It sounds like that you're more frustrated about it than pleased. After all, wouldn't you jump at glee at the fact that the Lazurians were thoroughly bled out as a result of powerful combat strength."
"Be silent! I will not have you inflate your value before me! You are to leave my sight at once, or I'll have you hanged for your insolence towards your superior!" Greyfield threatened.
"Oh, but I'm not done yet. You should be more in trust of us, considering that we've followed your orders to the exact letter and spirit." Keiji continued, disregarding the threat entirely. "Your scouts have most definitely reported as such, considering that your men are whispering rumors of how we have heroically stood before the enemy like shields for your troops. I'm sure that your men have warmed so well towards us, so why have you not?"
"That is… You should be grateful of my leadership!" Greyfield stammered for a moment, before roaring out in an attempt to intimidate Keiji, who merely returned a dark smirk.
"Grateful that you have tried to cripple us and have us killed?" Keiji retorted back, as Greyfield fell silent. "Don't try to pretend to be the good commander, Admiral, you might have pulled the wool over your men, but your distaste of us is far too evident. I never thought that you would have sunk so low to sabotage us this way for a mere difference in opinion. But you truly surprise me, Admiral. You really do."
Keiji then moved to bring out his gun, as Greyfield shrieked with fear, backing away like a frightened pig, as Keiji slammed the side-arm on the table.
"Well, aren't you going to pick it up?" Keiji taunted, gesturing towards the side-arm. "After all, after all of that bravado earlier, surely you wouldn't miss the chance to exert your dominance over me. I have given you a severe handicap in your favor after all."
Greyfield looked at Keiji for a moment, then at the side-arm, before he then darted towards the gun, taking it in his hands with a maniacal expression of triumph, pointing it at Keiji.
"Now, you'll turn away and tell your Captain that you have shamed him before me, and that he will expect no support from me when it comes to the time that he attacks Lazuria himself." Greyfield demanded, acting like he was victorious. "If you do that well, I will ensure you that you and your men will be given a rightful position beneath me, or you can choose to defy me, and you will all suffer death!"
"...How cute, you think that just because I gave you the gun, you think that you've won." Keiji chuckled, which unnerved Greyfield, who doesn't know why Keiji is so confident. "Like your abysmal ability to lead, you fail to see the bigger picture, Admiral. You can't shoot me, Admiral, or more specifically, you WON'T shoot me."
"How… How dare you! You will grovel before me like the rabble you are!" Greyfield demanded. "I am your leader, your exalted one, you are not allowed to defy me! I have all the power needed to take away all you hold dear! I have no need to fear a lowly Sergeant who is deluded."
"Just like how you are deluded too?" Keiji stated, before he then sighed dramatically. "...You and I both realize it, don't you? You NEED the 8th Combined Battalion and Brenner's Wolves. Because, without us… the NRA is nothing but a paper tiger."
"What… What did you say!?" Greyfield fumed, as the grip on his gun trembled.
"Oh please, I saw the looks of envy of every NRA soldier that came across us. We're better trained, we have better gear, we have proper army discipline, and most of all, we have a commanding officer that knows how to win a war with minimal casualties, unlike your bumbling." Keiji stated, as his words twisted the dagger deeper into Greyfield's psyche. "I've also noticed a little important fact that you have been withholding… Combined with Brenner's Wolves, our little regiment amounts to almost 20% of your forces, and that includes the mercenaries in it only for the pay. What do you think that means."
"It means nothing! I still have control over you, and I can-" Greyfield stated.
"Then if you want to demonstrate how almighty you are, then surely you can do something as easy as pulling the trigger on me. You hate me, and you have a gun while I don't. I'm not even in range to attack you at all." Keiji responded back with a provocative tone, inching his finger as a taunting gesture. "Go on, show me how truly ruthless you are, Admiral, spatter my entire guts across your pristine room, and reclaim your tainted pride. But you should know that pride always comes at a dire cost. And I believe you are well-aware of it."
Greyfield began to turn pale, as his hands shook out of fear, as his trigger finger inched on and off the trigger itself, although it never truly even applied any pressure of the firing mechanism, merely just wiggling and bouncing off it, as Greyfield was sweating a storm up, and his breathing was rapid enough to make him seem like he was hyperventilating.
"That's right, the reason you can't kill me is not only because your army will be a cripple without it… But the fact that it will be the breaking straw on the camel's back." Keiji stated. "If you shoot me, it will give justification for our regiment to turn-coat. They are just one single slight away from demanding your head as penance. So go ahead, try and pull the trigger again, and see if you can handle the fall-out. Threats won't work on them, because they're soldiers, they fulfill their duties no matter what is thrown to them, even if it is the mad ravings of a incompentent admiral. It won't be us on the execution block if you kill me… it will be you instead without fault. The NRA will be buried deep into the ground, and it will be because of you. How is that for a legacy?"
Greyfield collapsed down on the ground, as Keiji walked forward and swiped the fire-arm from Greyfield's hands easily.
"Here's a piece of genuine advice, I expect you to heed, Admiral…" Keiji stated. "Put this restraining order nonsense behind us. We are all that is needed to win the battle, and you can even ride it off as your prodigious leadership. I know you'll eventually come for us, but at least this way, you'll have time to prepare for the eventual fisticuffs. Maybe you'll even get your wish if you actually turn competent… but I doubt that you'll ever be my match, let alone Brenner's."
Keiji then left the room, leaving the catatonic admiral behind, as he made double-time back to his fighter, intending to leave the area, before Greyfield could regain his senses, and order Keiji to be shot down effectively immediately.
"Damn, that was a great risk I took…" Keiji muttered to himself, as he had a bit of cold sweat on him. "...So this is what Commander Richard felt when he called out a 'superior' in one of his missions on another world… I wonder how he could do that so coolly without feeling the same unease as I do… I guess that this is the norm for him."
At the same time, on the other side of the continent, Ydine decided to help Will to search for survivors, as they brought Isabella and some civilians to help create a more amicable impression for the survivors they met, which included the coastal citizens of both Rubinelle and Lazuria.
As they helped survivors along the way, there was a blonde-haired man who seemed to recognise Isabella, as he walked over to the group.
"Oh! Oh golly, it's you!" The man exclaimed with recognition and gentle surprise, as he had a heavy accent to his words.
"I'm... I'm sorry. Do you know me?" Isabella asked back.
"Oh, I doubt you'd be remembering me." The man answered back. "I used to run the bakery in this city, don'cha know?"
"Oh... I'm...I'm sorry. I can't really remember anything." Isabella apologised.
"Wait! You know Isabella? She's lost her memory. Anything you can tell us about her would be a big help." Will begged.
"I only saw this young lady and her family a few times. Never bought m'pies, don'cha know!" The bakery manager answered back.
"She has a family?" Will asked back.
"Oh yah! Had herself a couple'a sisters and brothers, if I'm rememberin' rightly." The manager nodded back.
"...I had a family?" Isabella asked with shock on her face.
"Do you know their names? Or where they are now?" Will asked hurriedly.
"Oh no! I don't think anyone here will be tellin' ya any of that. Not quite sure the best way to tell ya this, but…" The manager stated, before his voice dropped down a little, seemingly less cheerful. "Ya had a bit of a creepy family, if I remember rightly. Folks were scared of 'em."
"Why?" Isabella asked back.
"Oh, I don't wanna be talkin' poorly about someone's family! Wouldn't be right." The manager refused gently.
"No! Please tell me! I want to know!" Isabella exclaimed with desperation.
"Yah well, we had all kinds of strange rumors flying about! Folks said your family wasn't human! Said they were monsters and the like!" The manager answered back, shaking his head. "Don'cha know…"
"That's...horrible." Isabella stated with some sadness to her voice, as the manager noticed it.
"Oh golly, now I gone and done it!" The manager stated with a regretful tone. " But yah, there were a buncha rumors! Folks said that a buncha tough guys caused ya trouble and then died all mysterious-like! And some folks said that if ya got near weapons, they'd explode and such!"
"Wait, what was that about the rumours?" Ydine asked, intrigued by the content of the rumours.
"Ya shouldn't worry about it, they're just rumors, yah? Don'cha be payin' these things no mind." The manager answered back. "...I best be moving now, can't be in your way right now."
"Will…" Isabella remarked, as the manager joined the other survivors in being transported to a secure location.
"Listen, Isabella, I'm sure that-" Will tried to assure Isabella.
"Who am I? What am I?" Isabella remarked, as she placed her hands on the side of her head, with a disturbed look in her eyes. "What if I did terrible things and don't remember it!?"
"Then you don't have to let them define you." Ydine told Isabella firmly. "...People do bad things that they regret, and that is fine, as long as you understand that you have the right to make up for them. Besides, it might not be as terrible as you think. You might have been a sweet girl even before you lost your memories. Although, the rumors about your family unsettles me…"
"What do you know, Sergeant Major?" Will asked. "Please, we need to have some sort of clue from all of this."
Ydine looked at Will, as she recalled what she heard about during their first battle on the coast of Lazuria, about how Caulder potentially possess weapons of mass-destruction, causing her to suspect that Caulder, as much as she detests it, might have a connection with Isabella, even though she might have not seen him at all. After a moment of silence, she shook her head, which made Will deflate.
"Come on, we're almost done here. We need to get to the Lazurian capital, and prepare for what is coming." Ydine told Isabella and Will, as the army forces pulled out of the area with the survivors they had secured.
Term of the Chapter: Cruisers
In both the UGF and the UUF, the light cruisers and heavy cruisers of their navy serve specific roles. The Fukai-class light cruisers of the UGF are mounted with wind-infused danmaku anti-air turrets that serve the purpose of clearing the skies of enemy aerial units, while the Deepwing-Class heavy cruisers of the UUF have explosive HE-rounds that are enhanced with fire Dust to create maximum damage against enemy units.